Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Dec 22, 2004
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, Dec 22, 2004 |
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Shipping Logistics - Shipping Government - Policy Govt to unveil policy for cruise shipping Our Bureau
New Delhi , Dec. 21 THE Government will unveil a concept and policy paper for cruise shipping in the country to develop and tap its immense economic potential. The Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways has recently set-up a high power Steering Group to discuss the draft concept and policy paper for cruise shipping. The group discussed the draft paper at its first meeting held on December 14. The draft paper is based on the recommendations of a committee set-up by the Shipping Ministry in June 2003 under the chairmanship of the Chairman, Mumbai Port Trust, to review the rules and regulations applicable to cruise vessels and cruise passengers. The committee had made several recommendations on port and port health authorities, Custom authorities and immigration authorities. The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, on Tuesday said that it would be the Government's endeavour to develop cruise shipping as the sector holds immense economic potential. He was speaking at the Second Meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached with the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways. The global scenario for cruise shipping is gaining momentum, with an annual growth of 10-20 per cent in the cruise ship fleet and passengers. However, the Indian coastline is not witnessing the same growth pattern as is prevalent globally. "Hence, the sector requires a strong policy intervention by the Government for its stimulated growth," a Shipping Ministry official said. The current scenario in India is not quite encouraging. From 2000 to the current year, the number of cruise vessels calling at and the number of passengers carried to Indian ports is fluctuating. The year 2001 was quite good with a total number of 45,521 cruise passengers arriving in ports such as Mumbai, Kochi and Mormugao. This figure declined to 18,081 in 2001-02 and further declined to 11,850 in 2002-03. This year, however, some growth is noticed. With the economy growing at an impressive growth rate of 7-9 per cent per annum, disposable incomes of a large section of society is also increasing. More and more people, in fact, are having more and more money to spend on entertainment and pleasure. Therefore, besides attracting foreign tourists on cruise lines, India should also target domestic tourists for growth of this sector, the official noted. Experience in the Caribbean, Latin American and South-East Asian countries indicates that huge amount of foreign exchange can be earned by providing the right policy environment and infrastructure for the growth of cruise shipping. India with its vast and beautiful coastline, virgin forests and undisturbed idyllic islands, long historical and cultural tradition of architecture, theatre and performing arts can be a fabulous tourist destination for cruise tourists, the official said.
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